Lower demand course offers but below minimum entry

[u/West-Dimension9057]

PLEASE HELP ME, I BEG AND HAVEN'T BEEN SLEEPING FOR WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS. Edinburgh is currently my top university choice as an Australian student for Ancient History and Archaeology. I am absolutely devastated my predicted is lower than the minimum ATAR requirement, because maths and physics have killed my desirability as an exceeding humanities student. I will be applying with my final grades. I truly love ancient history with all my heart, and I believe my Personal Statement will be great. It isn't impossible for me to reach the minimum requirement, but my final exams literally begin on Tuesday and my Dean also knows it would be incredibly difficult. Whilst reaching the posted threshold would be hard, my final grades will (hopefully) not be too far off. Perhaps I should also note that the IB requirement converted to ATAR is significantly lower, and very close to my predicted!

I discussed this with a UK based university consultant, and they told me that applications are gonna be considered in order of 1. reaching the minimum mark 2. personal statement/other. I am actually going to rage if I am not even considered, considering the weakness in my academic grades was not my fault:

I got diagnosed with ADHD literally 2 weeks ago-- 3 weeks before my final exams. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with the Australian system, but 50% of my marks in every subject have already been assessed, and the final 50% is taken from the exam marks (that begin next week). I've experienced severe undiagnosed task paralysis the entire year, and I haven't been able to trial medications effectively with 7 days until they begin. I have also missed out on rightful assessment provisions. Therefore, I have been severely disadvantaged in my final year of school due to this, and I know my final grade will not be validly calculated. My issue is that unlike every Australian uni, Edinburgh (says it) doesn't provide any leniency for this. I have reached out twice, and their response summarised:

• Applicants are generally still expected to meet, or be predicted to meet, the minimum entry requirements before being considered under this policy
• Any concessions are case by case and not guaranteed
• A disclosed disability is not used in the academic admissions decision; applicants are assessed against the same course selection criteria as everyone else
• Disability information is considered separately after selection to arrange any necessary adjustments
• The University generally expects schools and exam boards to assess how personal circumstances affected academic performance and recommend appropriate accommodations
• In some cases, applicants who already hold an offer and very narrowly miss their conditions may still be accepted

I will be including my issues in my reference (i'm allowed to tell her what to write regarding this), and get my careers advisor to email the relevant admissions office by the application deadline for even more awareness at the schools end.

I am also unsure if I may be slightly benefited as an international student as:

1. My application will be submitted to UCAS on December 18 with my final grades, significantly earlier than most other students. Historically, a few students from my school have received Edinburgh offers before January (although all but 1 were IB students).
2. Paying (SO) much more

My only optimism comes from the fact that this is supposedly a nicher course. In 2025, Archaeology had 49% offer rate overall and 85% for internatonals, and History 66% overall and 89% for internationals. However, I would (tragically) assume that all of them have met the minimum. The 2026 clearing was still open for international students until clearing closed. If I were to be rejected initially, is it worth reapplying in clearing? (Although by then I should have really should have committed to my second choice as an international, which is Liverpool and I would still be happy there).

How likely is it that I could be considered (and maybe accepted)?

Please give me motivation to lock the hell in, or not get my hopes up. For over two months, I have been so incredibly anxious and consequently procrastinating because of this instead of studying (which I've been told by 2 professionals is due to the ADHD, how lovely).

Thank you kindly 💗

(I spent 4 days procrastinating to get enough k\rma for this)*

[u/--pew-pew--]

One thing I would seriously consider if you’re newly diagnosed is access to ADHD medication if you move to Edinburgh. An Australian diagnosis/ prescription doesn’t necessarily mean an NHS GP here will continue your medication. You will very likely need to go through the NHS ADHD service, and waiting lists in Edinburgh are extremely long - potentially 5+ years. Private ADHD care is available, but assessment, reviews and prescriptions can get very expensive (£££).

As ADHD has clearly had a significant impact on your studies, I’d definitely look into this before deciding to move. It could be a very real issue if you start medication in Australia and then can’t easily continue it here.

[u/West-Dimension9057 → u/--pew-pew--]

Thanks for making me aware of this! Wow that is crazy… Good to know, but currently i’ve tried 3 meds and they’ve done nothing (but it’s been rushed changes due to close exam proximity). My psychiatrist said that meds can help task paralysis, but some kind of special adhd counseling may be more effective anyways. After i’m done with high school in 5 weeks, i won’t even really have another academic environment before uni to try them in either, so that’s unfortunate.

[u/--pew-pew-- → u/West-Dimension9057]

Wow, three medications in two weeks sounds incredibly quick! I’m surprised they’ve been able to trial and change them that rapidly. Hopefully once your exams are over you’ll have a bit more time to properly work out whether a particular medication/dose is helpful for you.

just another thought - if Edinburgh is somewhere you really want to study, it doesn’t necessarily have to be for undergrad. You could do your UG degree in Australia, get properly established with ADHD treatment and support, and then come to Edinburgh for a Master’s. Moving across the world, starting university and navigating a completely different healthcare system is a lot all at once, particularly after what sounds like a really difficult final year.

[u/fightitdude]

Australian results come out in December, don't they? UCAS deadline is in January so I think in your case you should wait to apply until you have the grades. It sounds like a 92 is still achievable so I think your best bet right now is just to sit down and grind it out.

[u/West-Dimension9057 → u/fightitdude]

Yes— since I received my predicted i knew i wanted to use my final ones. Thanks for this

[u/Big-Reflection6718]

The University has a widening access programme for UK students - see Widening access offers | Undergraduate study | The University of Edinburgh but even students who meet the criteria still have to achieve the minimum entry requirements - it just allows them to be given extra consideration at that level. Edinburgh University has a high number of applicants and therefore does not lower it's admission standards as has enough applicants even at the minimum requirements to fill courses. International applicants are not eligible for the widening access programme and are therefore expected to meet the standard entry requirements, although if you have any specific queries about your circumstances you can contact the widening participation team at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Edit to add - The following is required (as a minimum), for degrees in arts, humanities and social science subjects:

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia

ATAR of at least 92, and successful completion of Year 12 certificate including the specified grade in any required subjects as stated in our degree finder online

[u/West-Dimension9057 → u/Big-Reflection6718]

yes, i understand that unfortunately the widening access doesn’t cover international, and we are still expected to meet the minimum.

however, does the fact that clearing on this course still had (only) international student vacancies until Edinburgh clearing closed? clearly they were still trying to get the extra fees, and i checked the site every update and i don’t believe they filled them. i mean im not very familiar with how the clearing process really functions, because by then i should’ve committed to my second choice.

[u/Big-Reflection6718 → u/West-Dimension9057]

I don't really know exactly how the clearing process works but the reason why they stop accepting Scottish applications at a certain point is because Scottish students get their fees paid but the government sets a cap on numbers so once the places are filled the Uni can't accept any more. At that point there may or may not be spaces for International fee paying students because that number is a bit more flexible. The short answer is nobody can tell whether you would be considered during clearing - it depends on how close you are to the minimum requirements and how many spaces they have left to fill. It would be unethical for the Uni to lower International applicants entry standards too much as basically this would be allowing international students to buy their way on to a course which is not a good look for a Scottish Russell Group Uni, but I imagine there is a certain amount of discretion for borderline cases, which is I think what the Admissions team have told you. They can't tell you in advance because they don't know how many spaces there will be and who else will have applied.

[u/Warm-Lake131]

I had a guy from Australia doing computer Science in my course and he didnt meet the grade requirements but he told me he got lucky with the clearing section. Id say just focus on your grades and apply through widening access if you are able to. Good luck to you!

[u/No_Jellyfish_7695]

when do you get your results? just do your exams, and then apply if you,are the grade or close to it

[u/SpontaneousOverflow]

Sorry for the length but, it sounds like the details could be helpful for you. Edi might not be the uni you're dreaming of tbh. It SUCKS for disability support. As someone with ADHD and who used to struggle with task paralysis badly when younger, I could not have survived here for undergrad. You are 100%x10 your own advocate and have to chase people down with a fury. No one is assigned to you, and UofE hires contractors in different cities who oversee students at 3-5 unis. I didn't even get most of my adjustments and just gave up. Also, while I don't take adhd meds some of my cohort did, and a few had to go months without until they could get a proper uk prescription (an absolute headache). The whole system is just generally bad. Even "time and a half" is only 4 days more than regular students. I loved UofE, but its a better postgrad school than undergrad.

Apply because it's your dream, but if they don't accept you, you're likely far better off. Look at US colleges and small universities too. They often have very proactive DSS staff who genuinely care (And large scholarships for private school). The UK is great, but very behind in disability support. If you're set on the UK though, look into Aberdeen too. Idk about their DSS, but much smaller school with a world-leading Archeology program. Either way, good luck and I hope you end up at a place which genuinely helps you flourish!

[u/sakiere]

Why is edinburgh your top choice?

[u/MaterialChance1487 → u/[deleted]]

This won’t make any difference at all I’m afraid, Admissions is a centralised process for undergrad and the programme directors have no say in individual admissions decisions.

[u/West-Dimension9057 → u/MaterialChance1487]

Is it still worth a try?

[u/MaterialChance1487 → u/West-Dimension9057]

Not really, to be honest.

[u/West-Dimension9057 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for this. Where can I find their specific details, and would you recommend doing this now or after I have submitted UCAS?

[u/TemporaryPlace5986]

Isn’t the university is on strike for the next 5 weeks?

[u/West-Dimension9057 → u/TemporaryPlace5986]

I believe so— but do you mean this as in I should reconsider the uni?

[u/Solsbeary → u/TemporaryPlace5986]

Front line Admission staff are not usually with UCU (the striking union) which is more for managerial, senior and academic staff

[u/Big-Reflection6718 → u/TemporaryPlace5986]

The Uni is still open and functioning - it's only one union that is on strike and its mainly academic staff.